Ronnie BourquinGRAND RAPIDS -- Former West Michigan Whitecap Ronnie Bourquin, who was suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine, will miss spring training but is expected to join the extended spring training players in Lakeland, Fla., on April 1.

"We felt that was be the best avenue to take while he completes the terms of his suspension," said Dan Lunetta, the Detroit Tigers' director of minor league operations. "He will get into baseball shape and, come June 1, we'll have to make a determination on what we'll be able to do."

Lunetta was in attendance at the Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet on Wednesday night.

Bourquin, who batted .283 with 58 RBIs in 81 games with the Whitecaps last season, was named to the Midwest League All-Star Team.